Ukraine’s president said the United States is exerting “unfair” pressure on Kyiv as negotiators met in Switzerland, warning that recent remarks from Washington risk undermining already fragile diplomatic efforts to end the war.
Speaking on the sidelines of talks in Geneva, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes comments from US President Donald Trump are “just his tactics and not the decision”, as Ukrainian and Russian representatives resumed indirect discussions under international mediation.
The meetings, hosted in Geneva, mark the second formal negotiating round this year, with expectations already low amid continued fighting on the ground and widening gaps between the two sides’ demands.
Tensions rise over US stance
Zelenskyy said Kyiv was concerned that Washington’s recent signals could embolden Moscow while weakening Ukraine’s bargaining position. Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to show greater flexibility, arguing that a rapid settlement is needed to stabilise global markets and contain geopolitical risk.
Ukrainian officials counter that any agreement must respect territorial sovereignty and provide credible security guarantees. Zelenskyy stressed that pressure applied unevenly risks producing a deal that fails to hold, warning that “peace imposed under imbalance is not peace at all”.
US representatives attending the Geneva talks said their priority remains de-escalation and a sustainable ceasefire, but declined to comment directly on Zelenskyy’s remarks.
Negotiations under heavy constraints
Diplomats involved in the process describe the atmosphere as strained, with both delegations arriving under intense domestic and international scrutiny. Russia continues to insist on recognition of occupied territories, while Ukraine maintains that a full withdrawal of Russian forces is a prerequisite for any lasting settlement.
The Swiss-hosted format is designed to explore confidence-building measures, humanitarian corridors and potential frameworks for a broader peace process. However, sources close to the talks said progress has been limited so far, with discussions largely confined to procedural issues.
Markets have been watching the Geneva meetings closely, as any sign of movement could affect energy prices, defence stocks and broader risk sentiment across Europe and the United States.
Kyiv seeks reassurance from allies
Alongside the negotiations, Zelenskyy has intensified outreach to European partners, seeking assurances that military and financial support will continue regardless of shifts in US rhetoric. Ukrainian officials fear that perceived wavering in Washington could ripple through allied capitals.
European diplomats, for their part, reiterated commitments to Ukraine’s sovereignty, while privately acknowledging concern over mixed messaging from the US administration. Several stressed that unity among Western partners remains essential if talks are to produce meaningful outcomes.
High stakes for diplomacy and markets
Analysts say the public disagreement highlights the delicate balance between political pressure and diplomatic leverage. While Trump’s approach may be aimed at accelerating negotiations, critics argue it risks weakening Ukraine’s position at a critical juncture.
For now, Geneva offers little more than cautious engagement. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would remain at the table but made clear that Kyiv will not accept terms it views as coerced.
As talks continue, investors and policymakers alike are bracing for a volatile period ahead, with the trajectory of the conflict — and the tone set by Washington — likely to shape geopolitical and market dynamics in the weeks to come.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 18 February 2026
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